Manchester United are expected to move on from the Elliot Anderson transfer after Nottingham Forest rejected a second Manchester City bid for the England midfielder
Manchester City have made a second bid for Elliot Anderson
Manchester City have made a second bid for Elliot Anderson(Image: Getty Images)
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Nottingham Forest are demanding a Premier League record fee to part with Elliot Anderson to Manchester City. On Wednesday, Forest knocked back a second offer from City, believed to be worth £106million plus £15m in bonuses for the 23-year-old England midfielder.
According to the Daily Mail, Forest are holding firm for a package of up to £130m - comprising £110m up front and £20m in bonuses - before sanctioning Anderson's move to City. Despite Forest rejecting two bids, Anderson has made no secret of his desire to join City, and there is said to be growing confidence that an agreement will be reached this summer.
Should City secure Anderson for £130m, it would shatter the Premier League transfer record and cement him as the third most expensive player in football history, behind only Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Manchester United had previously registered an interest in Anderson, but are now expected to pursue alternative midfield targets following City's second offer, with the asking price deemed excessive. West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes sits firmly at the top of their shortlist, though the Hammers are demanding roughly £80m for the 21-year-old, despite their relegation to the Championship.
United have already struck a deal to bring in Atalanta's Ederson for £35m plus £3.8m in add-ons, but are keen to bolster their midfield further with at least one, possibly two, additional signings ahead of their Champions League return. United hold an interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who has been training with England in North America ahead of the World Cup but will now head back before the tournament kicks off.
Ederson
Manchester United have already agreed a deal to sign Ederson(Image: Getty Images)
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Michael Carrick's outfit also hold Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid in high regard, though the France international is expected to stay put at the Santiago Bernabeu following Jose Mourinho's appointment as manager.
With Casemiro departing at the expiry of his contract and Manuel Ugarte set to leave United, Kobbie Mainoo remains the sole recognised senior central midfielder currently on the books at the Red Devils.
However, with the World Cup on the verge of starting and the 2026/27 campaign still over two months away from commencing, United are determined not to rush and retain sufficient time to bolster their squad.
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